The national ambassadors of the Member States to the EU gave their green light on Wednesday 16 February to the revised recommendation on non-essential travel to the EU, presented by the Commission on 25 November (see EUROPE 12840/1), which regulates the entry of third country residents to the EU and is so far associated with a list of countries not subject to particular restrictions.
The French Presidency of the EU Council’s compromise agreed on Wednesday was to include both references to the Omicron variant as it had not yet appeared on 25 November and the period of validity allowed in the EU for Covid certificates (270 days after the first vaccination schedule).
It also clarified certain possibilities for Member States, such as the possibility to continue to require negative PCR tests before departure to the EU if there is “an inability to verify the authenticity, integrity and validity of vaccination certificates issued by third countries not using the framework of the EU Covid digital certificate or a vaccination certificate that has been recognised as equivalent to it”.
Member States could also require valid proof of a negative PCR test before departure when the traveller is fully vaccinated with a Covid-19 vaccine that has received a European marketing authorisation, but is not in possession of an EU Covid digital certificate or a certificate recognised as equivalent. Children between the ages of 6 and 18 with a valid vaccination certificate will not be subject to testing requirements.
The recommendation would apply from 1 March, according to the text. The aim is also to move towards the removal of the so-called list of third countries not subject to special restrictions, as the revised recommendation now calls for consideration to be given to the individual status of travellers (in relation to vaccination, testing, or recovery from Covid-19) and not the geographical area from which they come.
But Member States have asked for some time: the removal of this list of third countries should only take place after 30 April 2022 so that these third countries can still accelerate the vaccination of their population, including the additional dose. The Recommendation could then be revised again to remove precisely this list of third countries.
The revised recommendation will be submitted for adoption to the EU’s European Affairs Ministers meeting in Brussels on 22 February. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)